Ship's Crew
Alexander Scammel Wadsworth
Rank(s): Lieutenant
Dates of Service: 4/21/1810 - 11/30/1812
Birth Date: 5/7/1790
Death Date: 4/5/1851
Early Life
Alexander Scammel Wadsworth was born on May 7, 1790 in Portland, Maine (then Massachusetts) to Peleg and Elizabeth (Bartlett) Wadsworth. Peleg Wadsworth was a member of Congress, representing Massachusetts, and had been an army officer during the American Revolution.
Wadsworth had seven brothers and three sisters. Alexander’s brother Henry Wadsworth died in September 1804 in Tripoli serving on the crew of the bomb ketch USS Intrepid when it exploded while trying to destroy the captured frigate USS Philadelphia. Alexander’s sister Zilpah married Stephen Longfellow and had a son, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who became a famous American poet.
Alexander Wadsworth married Louisa Denison in 1824. They had a daughter, Annie Longfellow Wadsworth in 1841.
Wadsworth joined the Navy as a midshipman at the age of 14 in 1804. Between 1804 and 1808, Wadsworth served on USS President, USS Chesapeake, and the Portland station. He received a commission on April 21, 1810 as lieutenant while serving on USS President.
He transferred from USS President to USS Constitution on June 17, 1810. His rank was lieutenant. He detached USS Constitution on September 26, 1812 at Boston, and transferred to USS Adams on November 30, 1812.
Battles and Engagements
Wadsworth was on board for the battle with HMS Guerriere.
Wadsworth ordered to command Potomac Flotilla on September 28, 1813 at Washington, D.C.. He transferred to USS Washington on March 15, 1815 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, but on June 23, 1815 he took command of USS Prometheus, then at Boston, Massachusetts. While on Prometheus, he received a commission as master commandant. Following the War of 1812, Wadsworth went on to command the USS John Adams and USS Constellation. He led the Pacific Squadron in 1834, and was appointed to the Board of Navy Commissioners in 1837. He became inspector of ordnance in 1841. Wadsworth died on April 5, 1851 in Washington, D.C.
Crew ID
15226
